Pupil Support

Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE)

All pupils in S1-6 have a period of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). Where possible, this is taught by their Pupil Support Teacher.

In the Broad General Education (S1-3), our PSHE programme is designed around Education Scotland’s Health and Wellbeing benchmarks. More details can be found here:

https://education.gov.scot/media/tbhpydja/hwbpersonalsocial-educationbenchmarkspdf.pdf

We also incorporate lessons on additional topics, to cater for the unique individual needs of our learners.

In the Senior Phase (S4-6), we build on the themes explored in the BGE, with additional focus on preparing young people for their future career pathway. Our calendar of topics can be found below.

Pupil Voice is at the forefront of everything we do, so this is updated annually based on feedback from our learners.

 

Wellbeing, Equalities & Inclusion:

Skills for Life, Learning and Work

Supports

Supports

We have a variety of in-school interventions that help to support the young people of Williamwood High School.  These may be 1-to-1 supports or group supports.

1-to-1 Supports

  • Wellbeing Mentor – A 6-week programme with a trained staff mentor, which aims to allow young people to develop strategies that they can use to help them cope in the school environment.
  • Keeping it Calm (KiC) – KiC explores a variety of ways in which our bodies and minds react to everyday events. As you learn more about the negative feelings you sometimes experience, you will develop strategies to overcome these.
  • Emotionally Based School Absenteeism (EBSA) – An intervention that is available to support young people who are finding attending school challenging due to emotional reasons.
  • Peer Mentoring – This involves S6 pupils supporting young people across the school to develop their resilience and provide wellbeing support.
  • Peer Tutoring – This involves S6 pupils supporting young people across the school to develop their skills and knowledge in a specific subject.

Group Supports

  • Check and Connect (Nurture) – Nurture supports young people in building resilience and their capacity to deal more confidently with the trials and tribulations of life.
  • Seasons for Growth – This supports young people in accepting the reality of loss, process pain or grief and adjust to a changed world after loss.
  • Social Skills Group – This works to improve vital social skills, which allow young people to make and maintain friendships, alongside building resilience.
  • Study Club – This is supported by teachers after school to offer young people a quiet space, resources and refreshments to complete homework or study.  

Health and Wellbeing

  • Health and Wellbeing questionnaires are completed by each year group twice per year. These assess the wellbeing of each young person using the SHANARRI indicators and allow Principal Teachers of Pupil Support to intervene should support be required. 
  • Support signposting information has been created for young people and families. The information can be accessed here. 

External Supports and Partners

  • Positive Pathways
  • Hemat Gryffe
  • Community Learning and Development (CLD)
  • Headstrong
  • Ibrox Partnership
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Healthier Minds
  • Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

Joint Support Team (JST)

Joint Support Team (JST)

The JST meets fortnightly to discuss those young people who require further targeted support if current universal supports are exhausted or further support is required. Following discussion at JST, a young person will be referred on to the appropriate partner or external support. The JST in Williamwood High School is a multi-disciplinary meeting, which places children/ young people at the centre of a multi-agency approach. The Senior Leadership Team, Pupil Support and Educational Psychologist attend the meeting. Social work, health and careers may also be involved if required. Parents’ permission will always be sought prior to discussion at JST and they will always be notified of the agreed outcomes.

 

 

Transition Joint Support Team

Transition Joint Support Team

In order to support the transition from P7 to S1, a Joint Support Team meeting is held with each of the cluster primaries to discuss young people that the primary school feel may require additional support when transitioning from primary school to Williamwood. Representatives from the cluster primary are present to discuss support strategies, identify early interventions and pastoral concerns. The JST is attended by all members of SLT, Pupil Support, Support for Learning and our Educational Psychologists.

Transitions Programme

Transitions programme:

A comprehensive, well-planned programme of transitions is in place. This includes an extensive enhanced transition programme, which includes bespoke and group activities. This ensures that young people with ASN are familiar with the secondary school setting and can form positive relationships with key staff at Williamwood prior to starting in S1.

We plan and work with partners and other agencies to ensure transition arrangements are effective for all learners.

The cluster continuously reviews practice in order to assess the extent to which we have been successful in delivering the 3 – 15 broad general education and the senior phase, which meet the needs of individual learners.

Pathways

Vocational Programme

East Renfrewshire’s Vocational Programme brings various council services together with local employers and colleges of further education, to provide a range of vocational courses for pupils.

The programme currently offers around 500 places providing for East Renfrewshire pupils entering S5 or S6 (with S4 places available), providing the opportunity to study for a vocational or national qualification together with their other subjects.

The awards will enable young people to gain skills that will help them enter the workplace or further education in the future.

Learn More

Who can apply

Pupils attending East Renfrewshire secondary schools who are about to enter S5 or S6.

As places are limited, pupils will be nominated and interviewed by their school prior to a place being offered.

If courses are full or pupils are unsuccessful, they’ll be placed on a ‘reserve list’ and advised if a place becomes available.

UCAS

All young people in S5-6 who wish to apply to college or university receive substantial support from the Pupil Support Teacher throughout the UCAS application process. This includes, identifying suitable courses relating to the desired pathway of the young person, guidance on producing a “Personal Statement” and a full academic reference. There are strict deadlines for UCAS applications which will be communicated with young people, parents and carers at the start of the new academic term. For more information and support, please use the following links to explore the UCAS website:

UCAS - TO REGISTER
UCAS - MORE INFORMATION
USEFUL INFORMATION

Inclusion for all

Health and Wellbeing is the responsibility of all members of the school community and encompasses everyone being included in all aspects of your school, and celebrating and valuing differences.

All members of our school community are caring and help young people to feel safe in school. Our priority is to ensure young people feel happy, safe, respected and included.

All staff have a responsibility to ensure young people are supported towards meeting their full potential.

Support Team staff (Learning, Inclusion and Pastoral) in partnership with their family, work as a team around our young people throughout their time at Williamwood High School, ensuring a team of skilled, trusted and specialist members of staff support a young person throughout their learning journey at Williamwood High School, from S1 to their point of exit to a post school destination.

Our Support Staff

Mr Marc Falconer

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Mr Falconer is Head of House for Aspen and is a teacher Mathematics. He leads on the Health and Wellbeing and pastoral matters of pupils in Aspen house. He is responsible for S5 PSHE, S5 Health and Wellbeing check-ins and the S5 into S6 Choosing for Success process, alongside Mr Allan. Mr Falconer oversees the MVP (Mentors in Violence Prevention) programme in the school and chairs the schools Joint Support Team meetings, working closely with our Educational Psychologist. Mr Falconer also arranges Headstrong appointments to support staff, pupils and parents.

Mr Alex Muirhead

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Mr Muirhead is delighted to be Head of Birch House and is a teacher of Business Management and Accounting. He trained at the University of Strathclyde and holds post-graduate qualifications from the University of Strathclyde and University of Glasgow. He leads on health, wellbeing, transition and all pastoral matters of pupils in Birch House. He is responsible for the S2 Personal Social Health Education programme, S2 Health & Wellbeing check-ins and the S2 into S3 Choosing for Success process, alongside Mr Andreucci. Mr Muirhead oversees pastoral support for Care Experienced young people and Young Carers. The overview of wellbeing planning and youth counselling for the Pupil Support team lies with Mr Muirhead.

Mr Callum Hodgart

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Mr Hodgart is Head of House for Cedar and is a teacher of maths. He leads on the Health and Wellbeing and pastoral matters of pupils in Cedar house. He is responsible for S4 PSHE, S4 Health and Wellbeing check-ins and the S4 into S5 Choosing for Success process, alongside Miss Smith. Mr Hodgart is the overall strategic lead for the school’s PSHE programme. Arrangements for pupils to attend vocational courses as part of their senior phase curriculum lie with Mr Hodgart. He links with local colleges in order to provide these opportunities.

Mr Aaron Thomson

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Mr Thomson is Head of Hawthorn House, as well as a teacher of Physical Education. He leads on the Health and Wellbeing and pastoral matters of pupils in Hawthorn House.

Mr Thomson also has responsibility for S6 PSHE and S6 Health and Wellbeing check-ins. Mr Thomson oversees the UCAS process and the House system.

Mrs Nichola Penman

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Mrs Penman is Head of House for Hazel and is a teacher of English. She leads on the Health and Wellbeing and pastoral matters of pupils in Hazel house. She is responsible for S3 PSHE and S3 Health and Wellbeing check-ins. Mrs Penman is the strategic lead for Parental Involvement and supports intergenerational links. Mrs Penman is responsible for Mental Health and Wellbeing, working alongside other members of the pupil support team to achieve whole school accreditation. The co-ordination of the Support Faculty Improvement plan for the Pupil Support team lies with Mrs Penman.

Mr Paul Andreucci

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Mr Andreucci is Head of House for Pine and is a teacher of Spanish and French. He leads on the Health and Wellbeing and pastoral matters of pupils in Pine house. He is responsible for S2 PSHE, S2 Health and Wellbeing check-ins and the S2 into S3 Choosing for Success process, alongside Mr Muirhead. Mr Andreucci oversees pastoral support for pupils who use English as an Additional Language. The overview of Quality Assurance for the Pupil Support team lies with Mr Andreucci.

Mrs Kirsty Macphee

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Mrs Macphee is head of House for Maple and is a teacher of Physical Education. She leads on the Health and Wellbeing and pastoral matters of pupils in Maple house. She is responsible for S1 PSHE and S1 Health and Wellbeing check-ins. Mrs Macphee oversees Health and Wellbeing, including the Health and Wellbeing Questionnaire, and the wellbeing of staff. She also leads the school EBSA team in supporting young people who are not attending school. Mrs Macphee is also the lead of the school ‘Check and Connect’ programme.

Miss Sophie Smith

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Miss Smith is Head of House for Willow and is a teacher of Business Management. She leads on the Health and Wellbeing and pastoral matters of pupils in Willow house. She is responsible for the PSHE Newsletter, S4 PSHE, S4 Health and Wellbeing check-ins and the S4 into S5 Choosing for Success process, alongside Mr Hodgart. Miss Smith is the lead for our P7 Transitions programme working closely with our 3 cluster primary schools.

Mr Ross Allan 

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support (Inclusion, Equality & Equity)

Mr Allan is a teacher of Chemistry and Science. He leads the Support Team on the monitoring, recording and reporting of Attendance and Timekeeping. Attendance is often the first indicator that a young person may be struggling or experiencing a difficulty and early interventions and strategies can be put in place based on our knowledge of a young person’s attendance.  He leads on the Health and Wellbeing and pastoral matters of young people across the school who may not follow a traditional curriculum and require support to a range of pathways. These young people are identified and Mr Allan works collaboratively with his Head of House colleagues to support our young people to be included, engaged and involved. Mr Allan works closely with the PT of DYW to ensure all of our young people secure a sustained positive destination post school. In addition, Mr Allan works with school colleagues on driving forward the Equalities agenda.

 

Miss Chloe Smith

Teacher of Pupil Support

Miss Smith is a Pupil Support teacher and a teacher of Biology and Science. She leads on the Emotionally Based School Absenteeism strategy and bespoke alternative SQA qualifications and awards. Miss Smith has an overview of the support groups that pupils access, such as the Wellbeing Mentor programme and Keeping it Calm (KiC).  Miss Smith is also leading on the whole school Mental Health and Wellbeing accreditation, alongside other members of the pupil support team and senior leadership team.

Miss Eilidh Briggs

Principal Teacher of Developing the Young Workforce

Miss Briggs is a teacher of Physical Education. She leads on careers education including the Careers fair and Developing the Young Workforce priorities. She is responsible for work experience for S4 pupils and also bespoke placements for other young people. Miss Briggs is the link for the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) staff within the school and following up with young people who are struggling to gain a sustained positive destination post school.  Working with a variety of partners to ensure all the young people get a chance to explore their future pathways.

Mr Andrew Murphy

Principal Teacher of Support for Learning

Mr Murphy leads our Support for Learning department which works with teachers from across our faculties to ensure that all pupils get the support they need, whenever they require it. With respect to support in the senior phase the department works closely with class teachers, pupils and parents to ensure that any Alternative Assessment Arrangements are put in place as required, following SQA guidelines. The support we provide will predominately occur within classes. This might be by ensuring a student has access to particular support resource, or by ensuring there is an adult on hand to offer support. At other times, students may require interventions out with their classroom. This might be via one-to-one tutoring, small group teaching, or mentoring.

In addition to the above responsibilities Mr Murphy is a Teacher of Biology.

Miss Fiona Glen

Teacher of Support for Learning

Miss Glen is a teacher of- Support for Learning and Physical Education. She is responsible for providing specialist support to pupils who may experience difficulties in their learning by implementing interventions on a 1-1 and small group basis. Miss Glen also supports on extended transitions and leads on planning and implementation of the Fresh Start literacy programme. She supports our Wider Achievement Awards which includes leading on the Barista Skills course. Miss Glen also teaches a variety of PSHE classes.